Self-luminous index-hand



R. W. ERDLE; SELF LUMINOUS muExHAm);

APPLICATION FILED MAY I6, 1918 Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

'INVENTOR .Rerzerflfl'rdk. M7012? STATES PATENT omen.

w. manna, or wammwmm, NEW mmx, assrcnoa. TO THE com) LIGHT Q umrao'rumnoCOMPANY, A coaroaa'rron or conoamo;

SELF-LUMINOUS INDEX-HAND.

specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 18, 1918. Serial No. 284,850.

' and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Self- Luminous Index-Hands, set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated lnthe accompanying drawings.

My present invention relates to selfluminous index hands or pointers foruse in taming a connection with indicators of all kinds, wherebyreadings may be made in the dark, as well as to a novel form ofself-luminous element adapted to be readily applied to index hands forthe purpose above-named. My invention supplies an eflicient, convenientand inexpensive means whereby the advantages of anyse'lf-luminoussubstance can be made avallable, without danger of deterioration of suchsubstance by"' eontact with the air and without dangerpt the samerubbing cfi through ordinary Wear and tear or by accidental contact. Myd'ie'ivice j be found especially useful with indicators used inconnection with gasolene or ammonia tanks and the like, Where the indexhands are liable to be soiled by spilling or splashing of the contentsof the tanks.

.My device is illustrated 1n a preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings wherein Figure 1 is a face View of the same in elevatlomfiig. 2is a longitudinal sectional View of the same, and Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view thereof. p 7

Broadly speaking, my invention comprises an index hand or pointer of anyconvenient form and construction to which is attached a self-luminouselement compris-' ing an elongated transparent receptacleconluminoussubstance. This container preferably takes the form of a flattened glasstube securely closed to prevent access of air to the contents.

In the specific form illustrated the pointer comprises a suitably shapedmetal plate 1( having an opening 11 to pernnt of 1ts application to asuitable support; which in the case of a clock, for instance, would bethe hour or minute arbor or shaft.

' Extending along the pointer-10 I provide a slot or opening 12, behindwhich is secured the self-luminous element, so that it i I can be seenthrough the slot. This element is preferably com osed of a,flattenedglass tube 13 filled witli self-luminous substance 14, preferably inowdere'd form. While this element may lie attached in any convenientmanner, without departing from my invention, I prefer, for this purpose,to provide the plate of which the pointer is com-.

posed wlth side extensions or wings 15 WlllCll are bent over to formchannels which receive the sides of the element 13. These channels arenarrowed at one end, as at 16,

to prevent escape of the element 13 at that end. The element is thenslid into place from the opposite end 17, at which the wings may pinchedinward. if desired, after such insertion, in order the better to securethe element in place.

The filling of the element 13 is preferably accomplished in thefollowing manner: A glass tube of relatively large diameter is heatedand flattened in the middle. While thus softened it is quickly stretchedso as to form a long fiat tube of the required reduced diameter providedwith relatively large funnel-shaped ends. The small tube is thensevered, either near one end or near the middle and the severed end issealed. The self-luminous substance is then introduced through thefunnel-shaped end in suiiicient quantity to provide one entire element,which, when filled, is separated from the unfilled portion, after whichthe severed end is sealed and the element is complete. If the tubeoriginally produced be long enough, a number of. elements can besuccessively produced from it in this manner.

What I claim is 1. An index hand or pointer and a selfluminous elementattached thereto comp'ris ing a flattened tube of transparent materiallaid fiat against said pointer in a longitudinal position, and aself-luminous substance within said tube.

2. An index hand or pointer having a longitudinal opening and aself-luminous element attached thereto behind said opening andcomprising a transparent tube containslid into place behind said openingin said Patented F eb. 10,19 20.

channels, and a self-luminous substance in said tube. I

4. In combination in a self luminous device apointer comprising a platehavin an 5 opening therein and sides bent over to orm a channel, atranslucent tube in the channel,

a luminous material in the tube, the luminous material bein visiblethrough the openlng and the tu e being positioned in the channel by saidbent over sides. 10

In testimony whereof, I have aflixejdmy signature to this specification;

REINER W. ERDLE.

